Vibrations and natural phenomena in ancient sites affecting the brain activity How to study the mind in the archaeological sites

prof.agg. Paolo Debertolis Daniele Gullà Department of Medical Sciences - University of Trieste Forensic researcher Chair of Dental Archaeology Project SB Research Group* Coordinator of project SB Research Group* Bologna – Italy Trieste, Italy

Abstract — From a number of research studies and our own Jahn. In 1996 PEAR published a paper titled "Acoustical experience it was observed that some ancient “sacred” sites Resonances of Assorted Ancient Structures” [10]. In it they have a specific affect on brain waves during rites. The found at six different Neolithic temples in England and Ireland frequencies of resonance found at these sites were tested on a an acoustic resonance of around 110Hz, frequencies that group of volunteers in the laboratory of our university. commonly fall within the male vocal range. They also found Audiometric tests at the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic were used that the dominant standing-wave patterns at such frequencies and the response was measured by EEG. Similar tests on the are the principle of radial or longitudinal harmonics with little same group were repeated in an ancient hypogeum in Italy. azimuthal or vertical variations. PEAR’s conclusion showed We found there was a prevalence of frontal areas or occipital that the ancient structures possessed resonant acoustical (posterior) areas with no predominance of one cerebral properties that may have contributed to their functional hemisphere (left of right) over the other whilst the frequencies purposes. were played. Throughout the experiment some brain areas On the basis of PEAR’s findings, a research group from had also a split of waves, but only in those volunteers who UCLA (USA) directed by Cook, published a paper in 2008 regularly practiced meditation or prayers. Each volunteer had analyzing ancient architectural acoustic resonance patterns and a different sensitivity to all the tones without one tone regional brain activity”[1]. In it the authors looked at the effect prevailing, with each exhibiting a strong response to a and correlation of the frequencies found by PEAR at English subjective and personal tone. In the same hypogeum we and Irish temples on brain activity using applied some innovative methods of research to better electroencephalography (EEG). In their pilot project, 30 understand this altered state of mind induced from the healthy adults listened to tones of 90, 100, 110, 120, and 130 vibrations present in that location with very interesting results. Hz whilst brain activity was monitored using EEG. In particular they found that the pattern of asymmetric activity Keywords: archaeoacustics, ultrasounds; infrasounds; low over the prefrontal cortex shifted from one of higher activation sound frequency. on the left side at most frequencies to right-sided dominance at 110 Hz. These findings are compatible with relative I. INTRODUCTION deactivation of language centres along with a shift in prefrontal activity that may be related to emotional Archaeoacoustics is a well known complementary discipline processing. These results suggested that the acoustic to archaeology that involves the study of ancient site using an properties of ancient structures may influence human brain interdisciplinary approach. So we also used medical- function and that a wider study of these interactions should be anthropologic approach that extends archaeoacoustic analysis undertaken. From these results Cook hypothesised that the to include the relationship between the human body and resonance of the chamber cavities might have been intended to archaeological sites using new forensic methodologies. support human ritual chanting. There was the possibility that Following this path we carried out a research in collaboration tones at these frequencies might specifically affect regional [1] with the Head and Neck Department and the Clinical brain activity” . Neurophysiological Unit at the University of Trieste (Italy) to So our research group tried to repeat this experiment on a assess the effects of resonance phenomena on the human group of 10 volunteers who underwent examination by EEG [5,10] body [5,9]. The idea of the connection between brain and ancient while listening to tones between 90Hz and 120Hz , similar “sacred” sites were proposed in international literature by to the resonant sounds found at some Neolithic structures in Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research Group (PEAR), Europe (England, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Turkey) as in the study University of Princeton, NY under the directorship of Robert by Ian Cook at the University of California (UCLA, 2008). of passengers. Any subject planning a terrorist attack who is in a stressful condition, can be immediately identified by the red/orange colour painted on computer monitor by dedicated software around the subject taken by security video camera. We are the first research group who used this new technology for other purpose than security [9] . This last method of research is at work but we have preliminary results which confirm EEG results. .

II. EEG RESEARCH RESULTS

All of our 10 volunteers, 4 male and 6 female, were subjected to a "comfortable" volume of sound whilst in the absorbing sound room (see Fig. 1). This is used for audiometric tests at the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic and has has been modified with suitable software and hardware. This type of room was also protected by a Faraday cage to shield from any possible external electromagnetic interference that could affect the results . After two minutes of silence to evaluate the resting brain rhythm, the volunteers were subjected to the tones of 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120Hz arranged in a random way for one minute each. At the end of every cycle they listened to a mantra of the same frequency for a period of two minutes. Skilled technicians examined the EEGs to verify the data collected. They found there was a prevalence of frontal areas or occipital (posterior) areas with no predominance of one cerebral hemisphere (left of right) over the other during playing. Each volunteer had a different sensitivity to all the tones without one tone prevailing (i.e. 110Hz), with each exhibiting a strong response to a subjective and personal tone (i.e. 90Hz or 105Hz or 120Hz) [5]. In the results obtained by Cook, Pajot and Leuchter the

Fig. 1 – The adsorbing sound room and the devices during EEG research. activity in the left temporal region was found to be significantly lower, closer to 110 Hz than other frequencies. Additionally, the In second instance we searched another approach to pattern of asymmetric activity over the prefrontal cortex volunteers by an imaging system able to value the emotional shifted from one of higher activity on the left at most state of subjects during tones based on information on the frequencies to right-sided dominance at 110 Hz [1]. integral parameters of head mobility obtained using a video Our results showed that each volunteer has their own analysis called TRV (Variable Resonance Imaging Camera) individual frequency of activation that can be significantly technology, which provides quantitative information of the different from 110Hz, but always between range of 90- periodic movements of any part of the body of imaged 120Hz. volunteer [3,6] . Further those volunteers with a frontal lobe prevalence The TRV image analyzer system is used to monitor during the toning received ideas and thoughts similar to what vibrations in normal or altered physiological states. In a little happens during meditation, whilst hose with an occipital lobe square on the computer screen the image of the subject is prevalence during the toning visualized images. shown using a spectrum of false colours, with a graph This could explain why in some ancient sites there are corresponding to the initial position. Any emotional state of different chambers tuned to different resonant frequencies examined subject produce a different vibration of the body not instead of 110Hz only. We think because also other visible to a naked eye, but visible to TRV camera. The frequencies are capable of activating emotional processing. coordination of human movement depends on the emotional Achieving this emotional state was an important component of and physiological state of mind affected by various factors ancient rites so that a real sense of mystical elevation. It is increasing or decreasing his stress conditions. possible some areas of the brain are effected without the sound This system was developed by the secret services to test actually passing through the ear. the emotional state of terrorist suspects under police As a result of this study, the protocol has been modified interrogation. Furthermore this special technology is used by introducing a series of questions for each volunteer following airport security staff to evaluate the emotional/stress condition exposure to the tones (Have you seen images? Have you interesting thoughts during the sounds? Did some frequencies (see Fig.3). The volunteers were subjected to the resonance disturb you? ). Volunteers will also be invited to raise their arm frequencies present, theoretically making a comparative if they received some sensations during a tone (left arm for assessment with our laboratory study. The structure were images, right arm for thoughts) and a little pause (20 sec) will stimulated in the different chambers by a Irish (or shamanic) be inserted between each tone [5]. drum and recorded on EEG the brain behaviour. In Cividale del During this investigation we observed that the exposure to Friuli hypogeum there are for example two chambers with these frequencies during meditation or prayer can create a different resonant frequencies. The other 4 chambers have been brain activity response which differs depending on whether or modified over the centuries it is therefore not possible to say with any certainty if these too had different or a similar range not the volunteers are trained or not in meditation techniques. of resonance. Also Jahn and his collaborators found different This lengthy research has yet to be concluded, but early results frequencies of resonance in different temples in England and indicate that the aspect of brain waves measured by EEG are [10] [9] Ireland, often in different chambers of the same temple . totally different . Such frequencies create strong emotions in people during rituals.

Fig 3 - The underground structure of Cividale del Friuli hypogeum during EEG research. The stimulation of the resonance was obtained by a shamanic drum.

III. TRV CAMERA RESULTS TRV technology (Variable Resonance Imaging Camera) is something we have been working with over the last three [3,6] Fig. 2 – The EEG cordance aspect of different tones in the volunteers. years . The TRV system’s camera has a common CCD Above : the aspect in T5 electrode in a not trained volunteer in meditation or backlit, with a three MegaPixel sensor. The protective anti- prayer. Below : the same electrode in a trained volunteer aliasing filter was removed to extend its vision beyond visible light into the infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) range. It has a In particular we can observe two or more peaks of brain system of rotating LEDs from infrared to visible light which wave frequency in some areas during the emission of tones generates ultraviolet light and synchronises it to the lights between 70-140Hz, this is not usually possible under normal rotation at will from 1 Hz to 10 KHz. The lens is a 25 mm conditions. Usually, (but not with a pathology), such quartz-fluorite with passband from 200nm to 1800nm. It is frequencies are found, i.e. during sleep, or another frequency, connected to a PC, but videos can also be saved to internal i.e. when we are awake, it is not ordinarily possible therefore flash memory (see Fig. 4). for two frequencies to be experienced contemporary, (i.e. to be We utilised a TRV camera and software derived by asleep and awake at the same time). However these results Russian technology, the same used at Sochi Winter Olympic showed this is possible if the volunteer is trained in meditation Games in 2014 (known as the Defender System X in Japan or prayer techniques and is exposed to particular tones. This and Merlin Camera in Italy) which analysed almost 2,500,000 creates an oneiric experience (one of visions or ideas) with people before they entered the venues. It was deemed a real total consciousness but without the use of chemical [9] success, because no terrorist attack occurred. substances . In the research at work we examined the same group of volunteers in the underground structure of Cividale del Friuli hypogeum, a very ancient structure connected with Great Mother’s cult and located in North Italy, using a portable EEG frequency confirm by TRV camera that a " mystical " state can be reached after a few minutes by those who are subjected to the resonance phenomenon inside the hypogeum chambers [6] .

Fig. 4 – The digital camera of TRV system used in Cividale del Friuli hypogeum.

The TRV cameras software makes clear immediately the emotional state of the volunteer, in fact human vibrations from Fig. 6 – A volunteer in Cividale del Friuli hypogeum. The blue band around 1Hz to 10Hz are pointed out by the colour and extension the body indicates the very low frequency of the body which means a very (Fig.5). deep state of relaxation of the mind (between 1-2Hz).

Fig. 5 - Images converted to a scale of pseudo colours in relation to the frequency in Hz of the human body.

We used this method in the archaeoacoustic field in Italy in the site of Alatri [6] and in Cividale del Friuli hypogeum [2,3,4]. In the second site we found a natural vibration of geological origin coming from subsoil affecting mind. We found this by traditional archaeoacoustic method (digital recorders and ultra-sensitive microphones). Normally low frequencies can affect mind because interfering with brain wave which have a low frequency of movement. We also must remember that brain activity is not only electric, but also Fig. 7 – By TRV camera it is possible to value the stress condition of everyone. This child is on the top of Alatri acropolis and the vibrations magnetic, so also magnetic fields who very frequently match coming from below make the subject relaxed. She looks a medium state of geological vibrations can modify the state of mind. relaxation because not in meditation (4-5Hz). For example in Cividale del Friuli (Italy) hypogeum, the TRV system recorded perfectly the transition to an altered state of consciousness of the volunteer, which occurred when Also this method confirmed that the sound at particularly the entire chamber began to vibrate at the same frequency as frequencies, but in the range of 70-140Hz can change the state the subjects during chanting. Initially this was captured by the of mind moving the human brain in different level of camera and software as a transition to one color, until the consciousness. And also this method express the concept that image of the person in the foreground totally disappeared, only the people trained to meditation and prayer take indicative that the frequencies moved from a broad range to a advantage from the resonance of these temples. narrower range [6] . In Cividale del Friuli hypogeum this altered state of consciousness was achieved by simply repeating a mantra for approximately 8 minutes, as documented by an audio IV. CONCLUSIONS recording which taken at the same time. Ultimately the male Our research demonstrates the real effect of resonance, voice or percussion instruments tuned on the right resonance found in ancient temples, on the human body. Archaeaoacosutics is an interesting method of analysing is also necessary a deep archaeological analysis of the site, ancient sites to re-discover a forgotten technique that effects because archaeoacoustics without an archaeological the emotional sphere of human consciousness. background is only acoustic . In six years of research using new technologies we are along way from any definitive conclusions. Despite amazing ACKNOWLEDGMENT results we need to study more deeply the relationship between We are grateful to Department of Medical Sciences of the ancient sites and people who spend some time inside them. We University of Trieste our research and in particular to the Director, understood that ancient civilizations did not build everywhere professor Roberto Di Lenarda. their temples, but in particular locations where natural physical phenomena were able to modify the state of conscience of the people during a ritual. New technologies together well known REFERENCES methods, i.e. EEG, showed this in our studies. We can say [1] Cook, I. A.; Pajot, S. K.; Leuchter, A. F., “Ancient Architectural through our technologies and methods ancient populations Acoustic Resonance Patterns and Regional Brain Activity”, Time and Mind, Volume 1, Number 1, March 2008 , pp. 95-104 (10). have a good knowledge human brain, empiric for sure, but [2] P. Debertolis, N. 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Super Brain Research Group (SBRG) is an international and [5,9] [3,6,9] interdisciplinary project team of research (Italian, Croatian and Finish (EEG) and TRV camera . We also have to consider we members) on archaeo-acoustic of ancient sites and temple in Europe (Official cannot use both methods in the same moment, because one web site: http.//www.sbresearchgoup.eu). interferes with the other for electric and magnetic reason. But it